• Laser Texturing Service

Laser Texturing Service

Our laser texturing service is a great solution for manufacturers looking to explore the benefits of laser texturing for a specific metal part and validate whether it works in their manufacturing process. It can also be used to meet temporary production needs. For example, we can texture small batches of parts for preproduction, prototyping, or while you wait for a laser texturing machine order.

Laser texturing offers new possibilities to manufacturers wanting to improve surface preparation. It can be used to:

  • Eliminate the need for masking
  • Get rid of abrasive media and dust that contaminate surfaces
  • Remove surface contaminants like oil and oxides
  • Prevent critical damage to metal surfaces
  • Obtain better adhesive properties
  • Scale up production with a faster process

 

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R&D team produces prototypes in time with laser texturing service

Flexibility was key to us. The people at Laserax were asking me how many parts I was going to send them, and oftentimes I didn’t know the answer until we were ready to ship them. Yet, the parts we shipped were processed in a timely manner.

I know it’s not easy to manage a lab, but that’s the kind of support we needed.

Client in the Energy Industry

Examples of Laser Texturing Applications

Laser texturing creates both mechanical and chemical changes on metal surfaces. It modifies the surface microstructure by etching patterns such as lines, dimples, or grids. This structure allows paint and adhesive droplets to interlock more efficiently on the surface. When the laser heats the surface, it can also create a small amount of surface oxides that improve adhesion if required.

Texturing Bipolar Plates for Thermal Spray Coating

Texturing Bipolar Plates for Thermal Spray Coating

Laser texturing is ideal to replace grit blasting when preparing fuel cell bipolar plates for thermal spray coating. It eliminates the need for masking, eliminates surface contamination from the blast material, and prevents critical damage that can be done to internal conduits.

Texturing Turbo Housings for Thermal Spray Coating

Texturing Turbo Housings for Thermal Spray Coating

Turbine housings are thermal spray coated to enhance their resistance to high temperatures, corrosion, and wear. Laser texturing improves the coating’s adhesion to the turbine’s surface by generating a rough texture and surface oxides that improve adhesion.

Texturing Cylindrical Cells for Adhesive Bonding

Texturing Cylindrical Cells for Adhesive Bonding

Adhesives are increasingly used in structural battery packs to reduce the weight of EVs, improve thermal management, and increase the vehicle’s structural integrity. Laser texturing is the method of choice for surface preparation, as it does not introduce contaminants on the cells’ surface (such as chemicals or abrasive media). The laser’s high precision also prevents damaging the casing.

Texturing Battery Housings to Improve Adhesion

Texturing Battery Housings to Improve Adhesion

Laser texturing improves the adhesion of various adhesives and thermal interface materials (TIMs) used on battery housings. It also improves the adhesive quality of the seal all around the casing.

Benefit from Our Laser Texturing Expertise

Your Development Partner
Your Development Partner

We can help you explore the impact of laser texturing on your manufacturing process. We can find the right balance between roughness and the beneficial oxides generated by the laser. We can also test different surface microstructures to see how they affect adhesion.

No Recontamination During Shipping
No Recontamination During Shipping

To prevent recontamination during shipping, we use packaging techniques that protect parts from oxidation. Depending on the parts, we use vacuum sealed bags, VCI bags, Argon gas, or the technique of your choice.

Texturing Quality Validation
Texturing Quality Validation

We validate the texturing process on your parts using a range of specialized tools. We use profilometers (roughness), high-resolution optical microscopes (surface microstructure and properties), XPS and FTIR spectrometers (chemical composition), SEM devices (ultra-high-resolution images), WCA, RFU, and Dyne pen measurements (surface cleanliness), and shelf-life tests.

Laser Texturing Process Development

Laser Texturing Process Development

As part of our laser texturing service, we can develop a custom texturing process for your specific application. We will find the best laser configuration that optimizes speed and adhesion. We also provide the support you need to validate laser texturing in your process.

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Additional Resources on Laser Texturing

Laser Texturing to Prepare Metal for Bonding

Laser Texturing to Prepare Metal for Bonding

This technical paper explores how laser texturing improves adhesive bonding for metallic surfaces. It shows the effect of laser texturing on metal surfaces, compares it to other surfaces treatments, and provides information on the laser’s configuration.

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Laser Texturing Applications for Batteries

Laser Texturing Applications for Batteries

This paper describes the benefits of laser texturing for adhesive bonding and thermal management when building cylindrical battery packs.

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Laser Texturing Performance for Metal Surfaces

Laser Texturing Performance for Metal Surfaces

This paper provides laser texturing speeds on steel and aluminum surfaces. Speeds are provided for roughness levels (Ra) varying between 3–12 µm and laser power levels ranging from 100W to 500W.

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